Page 54 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“Whatever he did is distracting you, and when I kiss you again, I will be the only distraction.”
“I’m sorry. What?” Did I hit my head against his back harder than I realized? “You don’t know when I’m upset, but you know when I’m distracted?”
He nods. “I know when you’re upset, but not before you get upset, or usually what I did to upset you. As I said, you’re not a very good liar. I know you’re upset the same way I know you’re distracted. It’s in your eyes, sweetheart. It’s always your eyes that give you away.”
“Thane.” I stand quickly. “This is getting out of hand. Moving too fast. We barely even know each other. You. I…I mean, this.” I wave my hand between us. “It’s like we’re in a relationship without all the awkward lead-up that takes months to overcome. We can’t just jump from the pan into the fire like this.”
“A relationship.” He’s nodding as he tests the word. Thane sits as though he’s in a board meeting, with his hands clasped in his lap and a grave expression creating creases in his face that weren’t there before.
“Yes. That’s right,” he says. “This is a relationship. I’m glad we’re on the same page, and thank you for addressing it. I wouldn’t have thought to. It makes sense though.” He stands, clasps his hands behind his back, and stares out my front window. “We’ve shared a meal together. We’ve kissed, had a moment at the lake, and my sister likes you. So, as my girlfriend, I demand you tell me what your father is up to so I can stop it.”
“Youdemand?”
That didnotjust come out of his mouth.
“Yes. A boyfriend’s duty is to protect.”
“Is that what Merriam-Webster says?” My head is on a tilt-a-whirl, and I kind of want to sucker punch this big, pushy jerk even if his misguided heart is in the right place.
“No. Merriam-Webster says frequent?—”
“I don’t need the actual definition, Thane.” My voice pitches higher, but it’s the stomping of my foot that has him turning back around.
His head tilts to the side like the most loyal Labrador retriever.
“Why are you angry?”
“Oh my God. I—I can’t do this with you right now. I’m sorry. I appreciate you checking up on me, but I have some stuff to work out. Just…go home.”
“Why would I go home when you’re angry? That seems counterproductive. We should be discussing this and your father.”
Crossing the room, I open my front door and watch confusion fall over his features. “You’re going home because I’m asking you to.”
He presses his lips into a thin line. “Fine.”
Thane stalks past me but pauses on the threshold, turns around, and places a gentle but stiff kiss to my forehead, then I close the door and slide down it.
He bangs on the door, and I jump. “Your door didn’t lock, Charlotte.”
Right. I disabled his automatic lock. Reaching up, I engage the lock, knowing he’ll never leave if I don’t.
Sitting with my back pressed to the door, I hear him bark out, “Siri, what does a boyfriend do when their girlfriend is angry about…something?”
I chuckle and drop my head to my knees.
He’s trying.It’s more than I can say about any of my previous relationships, but the problem is, I wasn’t even searching for a relationship.
You may not have been looking, but one found you—one that also happens to be your 99.7% match—perfection.
Dread settles into my stomach. A relationship with Thane would be work and will take time and patience I’m not sure I have. Especially with the threat of a lawsuit hanging over my head.
And still, my heart rate increases at the memory of him calling me his girlfriend.
Will this be a situation of the right guy at the wrong time, or can I make room in my messed-up world for a little more chaos?
My phone rings on the coffee table with the song “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift blasting from the tiny speakers.
My father.
